Siccia ursulae Kühne, 2007

Volynkin, Anton V., 2023, Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Siccia Walker (= Aemene Walker, syn. n.) in the Afrotropics with descriptions of seventy-three new species, three new subspecies, and a check-list of Asiatic taxa of the genus (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 64, pp. 1-184 : 72

Siccia ursulae Kühne, 2007

( Figs 190 , 408 )

Siccia ursulae Kühne, 2007 , Esperiana Memoir , 3: 375, fig. 87 (male genitalia), pl. 45, fig. 179 (adult) (Type locality: “ Kenya, Western Prov. , Kakamega Forest N.R.... near Udo's Campsite, ca. 0°21.3'N 34°51.0'E ”).

Type material examined. Paratype ( Figs 190 , 408 ): male, Kenya, Western Prov. , Kakamega Forest N.R., sec. forest, 1600m, 16.xi.2001, light trap (2), 0°21.31'N 34°51.82'E, F.N. Namu leg. / Paratypus Siccia ursulae by L. Kühne, gen. prep. No.: AV4836 ( MfN) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 11.5 mm in the male examined. The species is vaguely reminiscent of S. imana due to its relatively large size but distinguished by the narrower forewing with a less elongate apex, and the reduced forewing markings, which are distinct mostly along the costal and outer forewing margins. The male genital capsule of S. ursulae is similar to S. imana but differs clearly in the long and broad proximal lobe of the sacculus bearing an elongate cluster of spinules along its dorsal margin. Additionally, the uncus of S. ursulae is shorter and narrower than in the congener, and the nodular tip of the distal saccular process is broader bearing longer setae. The phallus of S. ursulae is somewhat shorter than in S. imana . Compared to S. imana , the vesica of the current species bears fewer and smaller cornuti medially, and has a longer distal diverticulum.

The female is unknown.

Molecular data. Currently unavailable for this species.

Distribution. The species is currently known from western Kenya (Kakamega Forest) ( Kühne 2007).

Figures

Figures 190–206. Siccia spp., adults. Depositories of the specimens: 190 and 198 in MfN; 191, 196 and 197 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 192–195, 199–201, and 203–206 in ANHRT; 202 in GMF-B.

Figures 407–410. Siccia spp., male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 407 in MWM/ZSM; 408 in MfN; 409 and 410 in ANHRT.